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Riding or navigating the fixed route bus system
A note from your doctor
Everyone who rides paratransit must first apply for eligibility; requirements are established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Eligibility is not based only on having a disability or medical diagnosis, but on whether or not these prevent you from riding fixed route buses.
Some riders are able to use our fixed route buses for many—but not all—of their trips. If your disability prevents you from making some trips on our fixed route bus (for example, trips that require you to walk farther to a stop than you are able), you would be eligible for Paratransit on those trips.
If you are unable to make any of your trips on our fixed route system, you would be eligible for all of your trips on Paratransit.
Disabled children age seven and under are not eligible for paratransit service. Paratransit does not provide transportation to and from school. Please contact your school district for assistance.
Riders unable to travel alone should travel with a PCA. Riders who need them are responsible for providing their own. Authorization for a PCA will be established during your eligibility determination.
One companion can travel with you. If there will be room on the bus, additional companions may also come along.
Children can travel with you. You are responsible for providing and using required car seats compatible with safety belts on our buses.
A service animal, trained to assist people with disabilities, can travel with you.
Small pets may travel with you if they’re contained in a secure pet carrier.
If you’re visiting Whatcom County, and you are eligible for ADA paratransit service where you live, you can book paratransit rides with WTA.
As a visitor, you can book rides on any 21 days during a 365-day period. The 21 days do not have to be consecutive. The 365-day period begins the first time you ride WTA paratransit. You will need to provide proof of your paratransit eligibility from the transit agency where you live. Here are the types of proof we will accept:
If you have not applied for ADA paratransit service from the transit agency where you live, or if you live in an area without ADA paratransit service, you can still request visitor status at WTA. In this case, we will ask you to provide other forms of documentation. Once we receive these, and we determine you are eligible, you can book ADA paratransit rides for the following day.
Please call us at (360) 733-1144 for more information, or to start the process of securing your ADA paratransit visitor status.